Electric switch



Aug. 6, 1957 J. KALWO I 2,802,082

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Dec. 2, 1955 INVENTCR.

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ELECTRIC SWITCH Ludwig .ll. Kalwo, New York, N. Y., assiguor to Trine Manufacturing Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 2, 1955, Seriai No. 559,589

ll-Clairns. (Cl. 2ttt9159) of simple and inexpensive parts which may be readily assembled. In the preferred form thereof a .single spring member is employed which serves not only to return the switch push button but alsoto complete an electrical .circuitwhen the button is depressed. The spring member preferably includes a pair of contact fingers which are not engaged by the push button and whichare flexible and movable with respect to the remainder of the spring member and thepush button. With the preferred construction there is little possibility that the fingers-will be bent beyond their elastic limit during use of the switch and the push button may be depressed beyond thepoint requiredtocause thefingers to engage. contactsassociated therewith without damage to thefingers. Furthermore, the push button may be stopped in .its fully depressed position independently of the fingers and contacts, and further movement of the button after-the fingers have engaged their associated contacts has substantially no effect on the ,circuit or. circuits oonnectedtothe contacts.

In the preferred embodimentof the inventiomrthepush button is provided with slots into which the free ends of the above-mentioned fingers extend, the slots being of sufficient size to permit movement of the ends .of the fingers with respect to the button. .However,;the .slo ts havewalls across one end thereof which limit themovement of the fingers .with respect-thereto;so.that.the fingers are positively disengaged from their associated=cont-acts when thepush button is in its released position.

Also, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a lamp is mounted in a light reflectingholder between the contactsand ,at'least a'portion of the-push button is made translucent soas to-permit light-from the lamp to illuminate-the button and pass through thebutton. .T'he energizing-leads ofthe lamp are connected tothe contacts.

Other objects and advantages of the inventionwillrbe apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, which description should be consideredin-connection with the-accompanying drawing in which:

Figs. .1 and 2 are enlarged, cross-sectional, side-elevation .views of the preferred embodiment of the inven- .tionshowing the movable parts thereof in two different positions;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the-base portion of the embodimentshownin the preceding figures;

Fig. .4 is a bottom view of the spring-member forming part of the embodiment shown in the preceding figures; and a i Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment It atent T 2,802,082 Patented Aug. 6, .1957

.2 shown in Fig. Land is-takenalong the line 55 indicated in Fig. 1. I

The embodiment .of the switch of the invention shown .in thedrawing comprises a base plate 10 made of an insulating material such as fiber or fiber impregnated with a phenolic resin and which has a pair of holes 11 and 12 in the opposite ends thereof for receiving mounting screws (not shown). Four ears 1346 extend from the sides of the plate 10 and are received in slots 17 and .18 in a cover 19 when the base plate 10 is pressed into "the platelO therein.

Preferably, the base plate 10 is relatively long andnarrow as shownin thedrawing and a pair of contacts 20 and 21 are mounted onthe ,plate 10 in longitudinally spaced relation. .The contacts 2tl21 are made of con- .ductivernaterial such as metal and preferably are made .of brass.

Contacts 2ti-21.may be. identical inshape and eachhas a contact-making face 22 and 23 which israised .above the upper surface of the plate 1%. Each of-the contacts20 and 21 also comprises an apertured portion 24and 25 through which threaded terminal bushings26 and 27 extend. The terminal bushings 26 and 27 .also extend through apertures in the plate 10 and areturned over as indicated at..2829, clamping the contacts 20 .and 21 against the-plate 10. Terminal screws 3fi-and31 fit into the bushings 26 and ,27 and hold the connecting wires (not shown) of the circuits with which the switch is associated. Theportions 24 and 25 are provided with .downwardlyextendingtails 32 and 33which fitinto apertures or slots in the platellti and which preventrotation of the terminalsZt) and 21 around the bushings 26 and, 27.

A lamp holder 34-is mounted between the terminals 20 and 21 and is provided .witha pair of downwardly extending portions 35 and 36 which fit into slots or-apertures in-the plate 10, preventing sidewise movementof the holder. The holder 34 is held against the upper surface ofthe plate 10 by the end of the terminal 20 which bears against the upper surface-of the holder 34.

The holder 34 preferably is made of metal and may,

I ,for example, be made of stainless steel for the purposes hereinafter described. The holder 34 has a lamp receivingsurface38 which is arcuate as viewed in crosssection and whichiengagesone side of a lamp39. ,If the holder 34 is madetofstainless steel, the surface 38 preferably is polished and mirror-like so as to provide a mirror-like reflecting .Surface which directslight from the-lamp 39 upwardly. Alternatively,.the surface 38 maybe silvered or otherwise given a good light-reflecting surface so as to direct light from the lamp 39 upwardly.

As shown in Fig. 3, the holder 34 also comprises a pair of fingers 40 and 41 which are springlike and which engage the neck 420i the lamp 39. The fingers wand dl extend more than half way around the neck 42 so that when the lamp 39 is positioned as shown, the fingers 40 and 41 must be forced apart in order to remove the lamp 39.

The lamp 39 has apair of energizing leads 43 and 44 which are clamped under .the portions 24 and 25 of the contacts 20 and 21 thereby conduotively connecting the leads 43 and 44 to the terminal bushings 26 and 27 and tothe contacts 20 and 21. The lamp is thereby connected in series with the external circuit so that when the push button, hereinafter described, is released the lamp is energized and when the push button is depressed, the lamp is shunted.

mounted in the aperture 45. The button 46 is shown in its released position in Fig. 1 and the button 46. has outwardly extending portions 47 and 48 which engage adjacent portions of the cover 19 in the released position of the button 46 and prevent removal of the button 46. The button 46 also comprises a hollow, downwardly extending portion 49 which has a lamp holder bridging slot 50 therein. In the fully depressed position of the button 46, the bottom 51 of the portion 49 strikes against the upper surface of the plate and provides a positive, lower stop for the button 46.

As shown in Fig. 5, one wall of the portion 49 is cut away to provide an opening 37 for receiving the lamp 39 and its holder 34.

A spring member 52 is mounted between the cover 19 and the plate 10. Preferably, the spring member 52 is made of metal and may, for example, be made of phos phor bronze. For simplicity in construction and assembly, the ends 53 and 54 of the spring member 52 merely bear against the upper surface of the plate 10 although it will be understood that such ends may be pivotally connected to the plate 10 in other known manners. When the plate 10 is in the assembled position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, the upper portion of the spring member 52 bears against the inner surface of the upper wall of the cover 19, such as at the portions designated by the numerals 55 and 56.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the spring member 52 has a centrally disposed aperture 57 therein which, when the spring 52 is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is

disposed above the lamp 39. The spring member 52 has 7 other and are on opposite sides of the aperture 57. The

member 52 has portions 60 and 61 on opposite sides of the aperture 57 and portions 62-65 whichextend on opposite sides of the fingers 58 and 59, all of said portions being spaced from the fingers 58 and 59. The free ends of the fingers 58 and 59 are movable with respect to said portions, it being noted that the member 52 is made of resilient and flexible material.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the free ends of the fingers 58 and 59 are normally disposed downwardly with respect to the portions 60-65 of the member 52. Also, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the button 46 is in contact with portions 62-65 and, as the button 46 is depressed, the portions 62-65 are moved downwardly as indicated in Fig. 2. Such downward movement of portions 62-65 causes the fingers 58 and 59 to move downwardly, even though the button 46 does not directly apply a downward force to the fingers 58 and 59. As indicated in Fig. 2, after the button 46 has been moved downwardly, a short distance, the fingers 58 and 59 strike and electrically interconnect the contacts 20 and 21. After the fingers 58 and 59 strike the contacts 20 and 21, there is no further downward movement of the fingers 58 and 59 even though the button 46 is further depressed. However, due to the flexible and resilient nature of the fingers 58 and 59, the fingers 58 and 59 are not damaged because the portion 51 of the button 46 strikes the plate 10 before the fingers 58 and 59 have been bent beyond their elastic limit.

The free ends of the fingers 58 and 59 extend into slots 66 and 67 in the sides of the portions 49 of the button 46 and are free to move in said slots 66 and 67 when the button 46 is depressed. However, the slots 66 and 67 are of such length that when the button 46 is in its released position, shown in Fig. l, the end walls 68 and 69 of the slots 66 and 67 engage the undersides of the free ends of the fingers 58 and 59 and positively disconnect the fingers 58 and 59 from the contacts 20 and 21. Furthermore, in order to prevent any looseness between the button 46 and the member 52, the walls 68 and 69 are preferably so positioned that the free ends of the fingers 58 and 59 are prevented from assuming their normal positions, i. e., the fingers 58 and 59 are held under tension by the walls 68 and 69. Of course, it will be understood that the walls 68 and 69 may be omitted with the accompanying loss of their function. If the walls 68 and 69 are omitted, the normal positions of the fingers 58 and 59, when the button 46 is released, will be substantially as shown in Fig. l and will be such that the fingers 58 and 59 are out of contact with the contacts 20 and 21.

It will be apparent from the above that when the push button 46 is in its released position, shown in Fig. l, and the terminals 26 and 27 are connected to an external circuit which is to be completed, the lamp 39 is energized from the external circuit, illuminating the push button 46 and projecting light through the portion 46a. The lamp 39, having a resistance which is high as compared to the resistance between the contacts 20 and 21 when the button 46 is depressed, does not permit the flow of current sufficient to energize apparatus connected to the external circuit. When the button 46 is depressed the fingers 58 and 59 strike contacts 20 and 21, providing a low resistance path from the spring member 52 and between the contacts 20 and 21 and effectively shunting the lamp 39, causing it to extinguish. In addition, the shunt provided by the member 52 between the contacts 20 and 21 permits sufiicient current to flow in the external circuit to actuate the apparatus therein.

If desired, the lamp 39 and its holder 34 may be omitted and the switch may be employed as a conventional single-pole, single-throw switch.

Having thus described my invention with particular reference to the preferred form thereof and having shown and described certain modifications it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, after understanding my invention, that various changes and other modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as defined by the claims appended thereto.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric switch, a first member pivotally mounted substantially atits opposite ends, a finger member pivotally mounted substantially at one end thereof adjacent one end of said first member and with its pivot axis substantially parallel to the pivot axis of said one end of said first member, the other end of said finger member being a free end spaced from said first member and disposed, with respect to said one end of said first member, in the direction of the other end of said first member and said finger member having a contact engaging portion spaced from said one end thereof, a contact mounted adjacent said contact engaging portion and engageable with said portion, at least one of said members being flexible and resilient and said members having a driving connection therebetween at portions spaced from said contact engaging portion for providing a flexible and resilient driving connection between said first member and said contact engaging portion and causing movement of said finger member with said first member by means of said connection, whereby said contact engaging portion is movable into and out of engagement with said contact, and actuating means engageable with a portion of said first member spaced from said opposite ends thereof for moving both said first member and said finger member.

2. In an electric switch, a first. member pivotally mounted substantially atiits oppositeends, a finger mem ber pivotally mounted substantiallyat one end thereof adjacent one end of said first. member and with its pivot axis substantially parallellto the-pivot axis er:- said one end of said first member, the other end .of said finger member being a free endlateralllysp'acedfrom said first member in the direction of said pivotaxis and disposed, with respect to said one endofsaid firstmember, in the direction of the other end of said first member and said finger member having a contact engagingportion spaced'from said one end thereof, a contact mounted adjacent said contact engaging portion andv engageable with said portion, at. least one of saidmembers being flexible and resilient and said members havinga, driving connection therebetween at portions spaced fromsaid contact engaging portion for providing afiexible and resilient driving connection between said first member and said contact engaging portion and causing movement of said finger member, with said first member by means of said connection, whereby saidcontact engaging portion is movable into and out of engagement'with said contact, and actuating means engageable with a portion of said first member spaced from said oppositeends thereof for moving both said first member and said finger member.

3, v In an electric. switch, a contact, a first member having its opposite ends pivotally mounted, said member having an aperture therein, a contact engaging member connected to said; first member for movement therewith and extending at least part way across said aperture, said contact engagingmember also being movable with respect to said first member and being spaced on at least two sides thereof from said first member, and actuating means engageable with a peripheral portion of said first member intermediate the ends thereof for actuating said members. a 4-. An electric switch,comprising'abasev plate, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced relation'on said plate, a first member havingv its ends pivotallywsupportedby said plate, said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein and having integral therewith a contact engaging member extending at least part way across said aperture, said contact engaging member .being movable with respect to said first member and being spaced on at least two sides thereof from said first member, a movably mounted push button, saidcontact engaging member being movable with respect to said button, and said button having a portion engageable with the peripheral portion of said first member intermediate the ends thereof for actuating said members.

5. An electric switch comprising a base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced relation on said plate, a spring member having its ends pivotally supported by said plate, said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein and having integral therewith a pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member into said aperture and which are spaced on three sides thereof from the peripheral portion of said member, a movably mounted push button, said fingers being movable with respect to said button, and said button having a portion engageable with said peripheral portion of said member and spaced from said fingers for actuating said member and said fingers.

6. An electric switch comprising a base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced relation on said plate, a spring member having its ends in pivotal engagement with said plate and said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein and having integral therewith a pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member into said aperture, the ends of said fingers being spaced from each other and on opposite sides of said aperture and said fingers having portions engageable with said contacts, a movably mounted push button, said button having a portion engageable with said member and spaced from said fingers for actuating said member and said fingers when said button is moved toward its depressed position.

6 7. An electric switch comprising a base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in spaced relation on said plate, a cover secured to said plate and extending thereover, said cover having a centrally disposed aperture therein for re: ceiving a push button, a spring member mounted between said cover and said plate, the ends of said spring member bearing. against the ends of said plate and said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein which is aligned with said aperture in said cover and having integral therewithla pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of saidmember. intolsaid aperture, the free ends of said fingers being spaced from each other and on opposite sides of said aperture, and said fingers having portions engageable with said contacts,a push button movably mounted in said aperture insaid cover, said ends of said fingers being movable with respect to saidbutton, said button having released'and. depressed positions and said button in both said positions being. spaced from said fingers and having a portion: engageable with said member for actuating said memb'erandsaid fingers when said button is movedtoward its depressed position.

8. An electric switchcomprising a relatively long and narrow base plate, apair, of contacts mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on said plate, said contacts extending abovelsaid plate, a cover secured to said plate and extending'thereover, said cover having an aperture thereinlfor receiving a push button, a spring member mounted'bietween'saidlcover and said plate, the ends of said'spring' member pivotally engaging said plate and said member having an aperture therein which is aligned with; said aperture in said, cover and having integral therewith a pair, of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member'into saidv aperture, the. ends of said fingers being spaced from each'zother, and on opposite sides ofsaid aperture; and said fingers-having portions engageable with said contacts, a push button movably mounted in said aperture in. said cover" and I having, a portion extending through said aperture in said member, said portion having slots therein, said ends of saidlfingers extending into said slotsand: beingamovabletherein, said button having releasedfanddepressedi positions and said'button having a portion engageable with said .member and spaced from said fingersfor actuating, said member and saidfingers whensaid: button .is moved toward, its depressed, position and having a portion engageable with said plate in said depressed position.

9. An electric switch comprising a relatively long and narrow base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on said plate, said contacts extending above said plate, a cover secured to said plate and extending thereover, said cover having a centrally disposed aperture therein for receiving a push button, a spring member mounted between said cover and said plate, the ends of said spring member bearing against the ends of said plate and said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein which is aligned with said aperture in said cover and having integral therewith a pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member into said aperture, the ends of said fingers being spaced from each other and on opposite sides of said aperture and being engageable with said contacts, a push button movably mounted in said aperture in said cover and having a portion extending through said aperture in said member, said portion having slots therein, said ends of said fingers extending into said slots and being movable therein, said button having released and depressed positions and said button having a portion engageable with said cover in said released position to prevent removal of said button, having a portion engageable with said member and spaced from said fingers for actuating said member and said fingers when said button is moved toward its depressed position and having a portion engageable with the ends of said fingers prior to return to said released position for positively disengaging said fingers from said contacts and said button having a portion engageable with said plate in said depressed position.

10. An electric switch comprising a relatively long and narrow base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on said plate, said contacts extending above said plate, a lamp holder mounted on said plate between said contacts, a lamp mounted in said holder, said lamp having a pair of energizing leads, one of said leads being connected to one of said contacts and the other of said leads being connected to the other of said contacts, acover secured to said plate and extending thereover, said cover having a centrally disposed aperture therein for receiving a push button and said aperture being disposed above said lamp, a spring member mounted between said cover and said plate, the ends of said spring member bearing against the ends of said plate and said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein which is disposed above said lamp and having integral therewith a pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member into said aperture, the free ends of said fingers being spaced from each other and on opposite sides of said aperture and being engageable with said contacts, a push button having a translucent portion, said button being movably mounted in said aperture in said cover and having a portion extending through said aperture in said member, said last-mentioned portion having slots therein having a length in the direction of movement of said button which is greater than the thickness of the ends of said fingers, said ends of said fingers extending into said slots and being movable therein said button having released and depressed positions and said button having a portion engageable with said cover in said released position to prevent removal of said button, having a portion engageable with said member and spaced from said fingers for actuating said member and said fingers when said button is moved toward its depressed position and having a portion engageable with the ends of said fingers prior to return to said released position for positively disengaging said fingers from said contacts and said button having a portion engageable with said plate in said depressed position.

11. An electric switch comprising a relatively long and narrow base plate, a pair of contacts mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on said plate, said contacts extending above said plate and having terminals connected thereto, a lamp holder mounted on said plate between said contacts, said holder having a lamp-engaging, light reflecting surface facing away from said plate, a lamp mounted in said holder, said lamp having a pair of energizing leads, one of said leads being connected to one of said contacts and the other of said leads being connected to the other of said contacts, a cover secured to said plate and extending thereover, said cover having a centrally disposed aperture therein for receiving a push button and said aperture being disposed above said lamp, a conductive spring member mounted between said cover and said plate, the ends of said spring member bearing against the ends of said plate and said member having a centrally disposed aperture therein which is disposed above said lamp and having integral therewith a pair of longitudinally extending contact fingers which extend from adjacent the ends of said member into said aperture, the free ends of said fingers being spaced from each other and on opposite sides of said aperture and being engageable with said contacts, a translucent push button movably mounted in said aperture in said cover and having a portion extending through said aperture in said member, said portion having slots therein having a length in the direction of movement of said button which is greater than the thickness of the ends of said fingers,

said ends of said fingers extending into said slots and being movable therein, said button having released and depressed positions and said button having a portion engageable with said cover in said released position to prevent removal of said button, having a portion engaged with said member and spaced from said fingers for actuating said member and said fingers when said button is movedtoward its depressed position and having a portion engageable with the ends of said fingers prior to return to said released position for positively disengaging said fingers from said contacts and said button having a portion engageable with said plate in said depressed position.

9 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,499,958 Knowlton Mar. 7, 1950 

